What to Expect from Apple’s October 18 Event: MacBook Pro, M1X Chip, AirPods 3, & More

Oct. 17, 2021

The first Apple fall hardware event saw the launch of the much-anticipatediPhone 13 lineupwith a 120Hz ProMotion display and upgraded cameras. The Cupertino giant even surprised us with the unveiling of the revampediPad mini 6. However, Apple is not done with hardware launches yet and recently announced a second fall hardware event. Dubbed theApple ‘Unleashed’ event, the company is expected to take the wraps off its latest silicon, new Macs, and more on October 18. While the new MacBook Pro models are tipped to be the highlight of the event, the company most likely has other equally exciting announcements up its sleeve. Here is everything you should expect from Apple’s upcoming October 18 hardware event.

Sneak Peek into Apple’s October 18 “Unleashed” Event

Before we talk about all the products we expect Apple to unveil at its hardware event tomorrow, let’s quickly detail how you can watch the ‘Unleashed’ event. Just like other recent Apple events, this will also be a virtual launch and will be livestreamed on Apple’sofficial event pageandYouTube channelon 18th October (Monday) at 10:00 AM PDT (1:00 PM EST, 10:30 PM IST, or 6:00 PM BST).

You can bookmark the official livestream links to watch the Apple hardware event tomorrow. We will also be covering the event in real-time on our website, so return back for more information on the upcoming products, which we will talk about below:

Rumors about theredesigned 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro modelshave been floating around for a while now. And if some reliable reports are to be believed, we are likely to see Apple announce two new high-end MacBook Pro models at the upcoming event. Considering that the notebooks have been due for a new design for several years, all eyes are set on this major announcement.

Going by the leaked images, the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro willfeature a flat-edged designin tune with the recently launched iPhone 13 series and iPad mini 6. Moreover, the notebooks will feature slimmer bezels for a modern look.

Another design element that might catch plenty of attention isthe removal of the “MacBook Pro” brandingfrom the bottom of the display. The reasoning behind this decision is simple. Apple wants to achieve an impressive bezel-free design and deliver more screen real-estate to its users.

Before we detail this rumor, we would suggest you take this with a pinch of salt. According toa rumor from Weibo, the upcoming 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will sport a notch that houses the webcam. As per the report, the notch will be similar in size to the one found on theiPhone 12 series. Though I’m not sure how it will work with Apple’s existing desktop OS, I don’t think it’s out of the question.

Also, if you have been active on Twitter recently, macOS Monterey users have spotted thatthe Menu bar at the top is now thickerthan it was in macOS Big Sur. They speculate that the increased thickness could be a hint for this upcoming design change – to accommodate the notch.

In an attempt to take ongaming laptops, Apple is expected to introduce 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate support on the new MacBook Pro models as well. With a higher refresh rate, the MacBook Pros will bring smooth scrolling and an enhanced gaming experience. Thanks to the variable refresh rate, it would also help conserve some precious battery life.

Without undermining the usefulness ofTouch Bar, I would go so far as to say that it has remained by and large a “gimmick” that has failed to make the cut for most pros right from day one. So, ifexpert Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is to be believed, Apple hasdecided to get rid of the Touch Barin favor of the classic yet more user-friendly design.

“Touch Bars continue to be the #3 application with an 18% unit share and 1.2% revenue share in Q1’21. We expect Touch Bars to be exceeded by tablets when Apple starts the adoption of the 10.9” AMOLED iPad. Further, our sources suggest that Apple may cancel the Touch Bar in the future,”says a recent report fromSupply Chain Consultants(DSCC).

With the introduction of 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, Apple will completely ditch Intel chips. That means both the high-end MacBooks willboast the faster and more powerful Apple M1X chip. It has been rumored to be coming for a long time and will be a successor to the original M1 chip.

Equipped with a10-core CPUthat has eight high-performance cores and two energy-efficient cores as well as 16-core/ 32-core GPU, the M1X chip will put the MacBook Pro ahead of the competition in terms of speed and efficiency. Moreover, the base models for 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros will have 16GB RAM, but they will have support for up to 64GB RAM. As for the storage, 512GB SSD storage will be standard across the board, with upgrades available at higher price points.

Featuring asmaller form factor and a plexiglass-like topover the aluminum enclosure, the Mac mini will be more portable. It will have four Thunderbolt ports, an Ethernet port, an HDMI port, and two USB-A ports, as per reports. Also, the new Mac mini willuse the same magnetic power connectoras therecently launched 24-inch M1 iMac.

TheAirPods 3were earlier expected to arrive alongside the iPhone 13 series, but that didn’t happen last month. Now, the rumors suggest that they will be announced alongside the new MacBook Pros. Design-wise, the AirPods 3 will have a striking similarity with theAirPods Pro.

The shorter stems and a redesigned charging case will make the wireless earphones look modern. However, AirPods 3 will be available at a more affordable price point and won’t come with high-end features like Active Noise Cancellation. We will have to wait for the official event for more information.

Even though iOS 15,iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, and tvOS 15 were launched to the public in September, there is no word yet about the release of Apple’s latest desktop OS – macOS 12 Monterey. Since the new version of macOS generally comes later than the other software updates, the release date of macOS Monterey could be announced at the October 18 Apple event.

Since it’s touted to be a major event for Macs, it would be befitting to announce the release date of macOS 12 during the event. The latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will likely be the first to ship with the latest macOS 12 update.

So that’s all we expect Apple to announce at the upcoming Unleashed hardware event on Monday. Personally, we are most excited to take a close look at the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. With a modern-looking design complete with all the essential ports, they look in line with our liking. That aside, we would also keep tabs on the AirPods 3 just to see whether or not they offer better audio quality and value than their predecessors. What are you most excited to see at the Apple Event tomorrow? Do let us know your expectations in the comments below.

An old school bibliophile who turned a tech nerd out of obsession. When he is not digging into hacks and tracking down stories that are breaking the internet, you may find him reciting poems.